langevin and yandow

i am transcribing some of this from a summary of research found in a leon chaitow book:

Langevin & Yandow (2002) have presented evidence that links the network of acupuncture points and meridians to a network formed by interstitial connective tissue. Using a unique dissection and charting method for location of connective tissue (fascial) planes, acupuncture points and acupuncture meridians of the arm, they note that: 'Overall, more than 80% of acupuncture points and 50% of meridian intersections of the arm appeared to coincide with intermuscular or intramuscular connective tissue planes.'

Langevin & Yandow's research further shows microscopic evidence that when an acupuncture needle is inserted and rotated (as is classically performed in acupuncture treatment), a 'whorl' of connective tissue forms around the needle, thereby creating a tight mechanical coupling between the tissue and the needle. The tension placed on the connective tissue as a result of further movements of the needle delivers a mechanical stimulus at the cellular level. They note that changes in the extracellular matrix '...may, in turn, influence the various cell populations sharing this connective tissue matrix (e.g. fibroblasts, sensory afferents, immune and vascular cells)'.

The key elements of Langevin's research can best be summarized as follows:

*Acupuncture points, and many of the effects of acupuncture, seem to relate to the fact that most of these localized 'points' lie directly over areas where there is fascial cleavage; where sheets of fascia diverge to separate, surround and support different muscle bundles (Langevin et al 2001).

*Connective tissue is a communication system of as yet unknown potential. The tiny projections emerginf from each cell are called 'integrins'. Ingber demonstrated (Inger 1993b, Ingber & Folkman 1989) integrins to be a cellular signaling system that modify their function depending on the relative normality of the shape of cells. The structural integrity (shape) of cells depends on the overall state of normality (deformed, stretched, etc.) of the fascia as a whole. As Langevin et al (2004) report:

'Loose' connective tissue forms a network extending throughout the body including subcutaneous and interstitial connective tissues. The existence of a cellular network of fibroblasts within loose connective tissue may have considerable significance as it may support yet unknown body-wide cellular signaling systems ... Our findings indicate that soft tissue fibroblasts form an extensively interconnected cellular network, suggesting they may have important, and so far unsuspected integrative functions at the level of the whole body.



*Perhaps the most fascinating research in this remarkable series of discoveries is that cells change their shape and behavior following stretching (and crowding/deformation). The observation of these researchers is that: 'The dynamic, cytoskeleton-dependent responses of fibroblasts to changes in tissue length demonstrated in this study have important implications for our understanding of normal movement and posture, as well as therapies using mechanical stimulation of connective tissue, including physical therapy, massage and acupuncture' (Langevin et al 2005).